This delicious and refreshing homemade Orange Sherbet is made with fresh-squeezed orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, milk, and cream. It churns up nicely in about 30 minutes in an ice cream maker. Enjoy it as a tasty dessert or a cool afternoon snack.

Cool off this summer with a delicious and refreshing homemade orange sherbet recipe. You can make this tasty treat at home in no time with just a few simple ingredients. Made with fresh-squeezed orange juice and a handful of other simple ingredients, this tasty treat will become a family favorite. If fresh orange flavors brighten your day like mine, try mandarin orange salad, orange vinaigrette, and orange Julius.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Orange juice: For the best flavor, use fresh-squeezed orange juice. Many stores have it readily available.
- Orange zest: If you squeeze your orange juice, zest one of the oranges first
- Kosher salt: A little bit of salt in the sherbet recipe is a flavor enhancer. It makes the other flavors pop. The key is a little bit.
- Vanilla extract: The pure stuff, please
- Milk: Whole or 2% is best
- Heavy cream: You can substitute whipping cream
How to make Orange Sherbet
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
This is the nutshell version. Please see the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and instructions.
First, add the orange juice, sugar, orange zest, salt, and vanilla extract to a large bowl and whisk together until the sugar is dissolved. Whisk in the milk and cream.
Then, pour the mixture into the belly of your ice cream maker. Follow the directions for your specific brand. For my ice cream maker, I place the lid on the bowl and add the churning motor. I add ice and ice cream salt to the tub that holds the bowl. Then, I plug in the motor so it starts churning.

Churn the sherbet until it is between the consistency of a milkshake and soft serve. Then, remove the belly from the machine and spoon the sherbet into a freezer-safe container like a bread loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap or wax paper to prevent ice crystals from forming.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- There are many different types of ice cream makers, so follow your manufacturer’s instructions.
- You can find the Ice cream salt at the grocery store in the spice aisle.
- Use the same recipe to make lime, lemon, or grapefruit sherbet. Just substitute the appropriate juice and zest.
- Store homemade sherbet in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

What is the Difference Between Sherbet, Sherbert, and Sorbet?
Sherbet is a frozen dessert made from fruit or fruit juice, sugar, and milk or cream. While Sherbert is a mispronunciation of the same thing that has stuck as slang.
Sorbet, on the other hand, is a frozen dessert made from fruit, fruit juice, water, and sugar. It does not contain dairy.

More Frozen Treas

Easy Orange Sherbet Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1½ tablespoons orange zest
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Add the orange juice, sugar, orange zest, salt, and vanilla extract to a large bowl and whisk together until the sugar is dissolved. Whisk in the milk and cream.
- Pour the contents into the belly of your ice cream maker. Follow the directions for your specific ice cream maker.
- Churn the sherbet until it is somewhere between the consistency of a milkshake and soft serve. Remove from the machine and spoon it into a freezer safe container. Cover with plastic wrap or wax paper to prevent ice crystals from forming.
- Freeze overnight or until solid.
Notes
- There are many different types of ice cream makers, so follow your manufacturer’s instructions.
- You can find the Ice cream salt at the grocery store in the spice aisle.
- Use the same recipe to make lime, lemon, or grapefruit sherbet. Just substitute the appropriate juice and zest.
- Store homemade sherbet in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
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Elizabeth Bowers
Has anyone tries a sugar substitute in this?
Jeanette
I used monkfruit sweetener, which tastes exactly like sugar, substitute equal amounts.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip, Jeanette!
Toddi
This recipe was very delicious and easy to follow. This was a hit with the kids!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Toddi! I am so glad that the kids liked it. Sometimes kids are hard to please.
Marysa
This sounds so refreshing and flavorful. It would be fun to try making our own sherbert. The kids would love this!
Tavo
I hadn’t made orange sherbet before and I loved this one! I include this in my weekly healthy dessert recipe rotation!
Aimee Mars
I love sherbet of all kinds and orange sounds perfect for hot summer days! I’ve never thought to make it at home, but can’t wait to try this recipe out.
Cam
Orange sherbet has always been my absolute favorite ice cream and making it was so much easier than I thought! It tasted just like I wanted it to and was gone in two days!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Cam! So glad that you liked it.
Kat
I made this using a combination of blood oranges and Cara Caras and it is absolutely the best ice cream I’ve ever made. Considering that I’ve made at least two dozen different ice cream flavors, this still made the top of the list.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kat! So glad that you like the Sherbet!
Kate
This orange sherbet is so zesty and flavorful!
Erin
One of my favorite! For sure this a hit on our table, yum!
Sandra
This orange sherbet is definitely a must have in the freezer all the time! It was so good, can’t get over it!
Amanda
Orange sherbet is my favorite treat on a hot summer day!!